The verbal media war between “Phenku” and “Pappu” and “Yuvraj” vs “Yamraj” is on. It is worth mentioning here that the Congress people don’t like Rahul Gandhi being addressed as “Yuvraj”. And off and on, Narendra Modi has taken pot-shots at Rahul and called him yuvraj. Thus, the Congressmen have found a name for him, too, and have decided to pay him in kind. Alliterating with “Yuvraj”, Janardan Dwivedi came up with the name “Yamraj”, and handed over the name to Rashid Alvi, and the latter made the media know about Congress’ sentiments about Modi.

After stealing headlines from the sensational speech at Delhi’s Sri Ram College of Commerce, Narendra Modi is getting ready to go to London for a series of lecture series. It is believed that a programme has been finalised for him to visit United Kingdom in the first week of May. But the only obstacle here could be that for any foreign visit, a state chief minister has to get sanction from the Prime Minister’s Office. And a large section of the Congress doesn’t want Modi to get permission from the PMO for this. That is why when Modi met Manmohan Singh at his last visit to Delhi, he has spoken to him about it and the prime minister has assured him that the PMO is working on clearing all the formalities for his trip and that his trip would be cleared soon. Clearly, the prime minister has started to take some political decisions on his own now.

The government’s clutches on the Sahara Group are set to tighten in the days to come. At present, the government’s eyes are set on those officials from the finance ministry who, despite repeated warnings from the Financial Intelligence Unit about the alleged money laundering and the urge to stop it, did nothing about it. Sources reveal that now the government is looking at laying claim on three big hotels, of which two are in the US and one in London. The total cost of the three hotels is pegged at Rs 6,000-7,000 crore. Sources reveal that the Sahara Group took a big loan from the Bank of China for the deals. Indian agencies are now investigating that if these hotels were bought from the money of small investors in India, how can Sahara Shri, his wife and two sons lay claim to it? Sources also reveal that contact has been made with the Interpol regarding the issue.

India’s prominent industrialist Gautam Adani’s son’s wedding took place at Goa’s Taj Village Hotel on February 13. A big gathering of politicians and industrialists was seen at the wedding in Goa. Among those present were Tata Sons’ new Chairman Cyrus Mistry, Mukesh and Anil Ambani who came with their wives, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anand Mahindra and Ruia, among others. Among the politicians, Narendra Modi came on February 12 itself, the day of the mehendi. Sharad Pawar came with Prafful Patel and daughter Supriya Sule. Shahnawaz Hussain and Rajeev Prasad Rudy also came with their wives. Goa’s Chief Minister Manohar Panicker, Raj Thackeray and Nitin Gadkari were also present. Gadkari had come with Maharashtra’s party leaders on a four-seater helicopter from Mumbai. Narendra Modi was mostly seen talking to Narendra Modi. On the dinner table, too, it was Gadkari and Raj Thackeray sitting news to Modi. NRI businessman Anshuman Mishra was also seen at the wedding. Of all the VIPs, it was Narendra Modi who seemed to be the most charismatic. Everyone wanted to get a picture with him. It was especially the women and girls who wanted to be photographed with him.

India’s new Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran’s father K Parasaran has been the country’s attorney general in the past. He was also appointed for the Rajya Sabha. Several Congress leaders including Digvijay Singh wanted Vivek Tankha to occupy the post. Vivek belongs to Jabalpur, is a Kashmiri Pandit, and has also held the post of additional solicitor general. But Law Minister Ashwini Kumar had a different opinion on the matter; he wanted someone other than Vivek for the post. He let his intentions be known to Ahmad Patel and Rahul Gandhi and asked time to meet Sonia Gandhi. After that, Ashwini Kumar managed to get Sonia to say what he wanted. Ashwini Kumar met madam and told her that some people in the party wanted Vivek Tankha to be the solicitor general, to which Sonia said, “How about Parasaran? He is a good man, has been with us for several years and Rahul is also of the same opinion.” It is here that the game changed.

The heat of Italy’s helicopter scam seems to be hitting the BJP camp, too. It is believed that two party leaders, who are also the party spokespersons, have some interest in the Italian company’s competitors, and the both of them have a significant role to play in the matter coming to light and being played up. It is worth remembering that an entire caucus works together when it comes to the buying and selling in defence deals. Of them, a few are retired officials from the army, some politicians, businessman and Turks from the media. Former Army Chief V K Singh had indirectly pointed this out when he held the top army position. It is clear that a certain editor was also lobbying for a particular arms company. And when Singh did not give time to the editor for a meeting, the newspaper editor went against Singh.

The matter involving Unitech Managing Director Sanjay Chandra seems to be getting a lot of attention. The recording of CBI prosecutor A K Singh giving strategic advice to Sanjay Chandra on the 2G fiasco is not a phone tapping matter. Reliable sources reveal that the recording of this conversation took place at the CBI prosecutor’s chambers at Patiala House, and that too through someone’s mobile phone. If an analysis of the voice proves that it really is the voice of Sanjay Chandra and A K Singh, a case of corruption can be filed against them. Chandra’s bail may also be cancelled. But the puzzle about the recording remains – was it done by a CBI official, who wanted the public prosecutor to leave the case?